Raise a glass to the season’s luscious, wine-soaked hues

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This chilly time of year simply cries out for bold red wines. And we’re not just talking about the stuff in your glass, but fashion, too.

This season is all about hues that range from red to purple and all the plum, berry, claret, cassis and other wine-soaked colours in between. These are flattering, versatile colours that work as well in tailored suiting as they do in casual knits.

As accessories, they’re easy to mix into your existing wardrobe since they go with almost all neutrals, yet in the more subdued shades they can also work as neutrals themselves.

But where these lush colours really shine is in party apparel, in festive fabrics like lace and silk and velvet. Somehow, they manage to be young and grown-up, serious yet fun, all at the same time. Sort of like your favourite red vino.

We took a look at some of the season’s vintage colours and paired them with our favourite wines. We’re sure you’ll find a match you love.

Red – Beaujolais

Tasting notes: Made from the Gamay Noir grape, Beaujolais is a light, fruity, easy-drinking wine with a bright, pinkish red hue and flavours of red cherries with subtle candied notes. The annual launch of Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of November is always a good excuse for a party, perhaps in your new red dress?

In fashion as in wine, red is all the rage right now. Bright and festive, it adds punch to the most sober of outfits.

Simply top a workaday black suit with a red scarf, tuck a silk tee under a businesslike grey jacket, put a kick in your step with a pair of red pumps, add a kiss of red lipstick – and you’re ready to celebrate the season in style.

As Santa knows, red is also the classic festive hue for party clothes, for sexy frocks and gleaming accessories. And it pairs beautifully with the season’s trendy black lace and retro animal prints.

Tasting notes: Pinot Noir, the black grape of Burgundy, produces some of the most sophisticated wines in both the Old World and the New. Think soft, supple, brownish reds with complex red fruit aromas and sophisticated leathery, gamey or earthy notes. Elegant, approachable and versatile, just like the season’s hottest fashion hue.

It’s a long time since we’ve seen so much burgundy in fashion, and we’re thrilled to see its return. Burgundy is among the most flattering and versatile of hues. It is as comfortable with cool neutrals as warm ones, and as pretty with silver accessories as it is with gold. It looks rich and luxurious, always tasteful and yet fresh and fun.

Whether you decide to go cosy in luxe sweaters and leggings, or sexy in sequins and velvet, you’ll want to drink deep of this glorious hue.

Tasting notes: Some of the world’s most expensive wines come from Bordeaux, known for deep, dark, purply-red blends of mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These are elegant, well-structured wines with rich, dark fruit flavours and complex savoury and earthy notes. Bordeaux is serious yet sexy, just like you.

This deep, rich, elegant hue not only goes with both warm and cool neutrals, it is subtle enough to work as a neutral itself. Beautiful and flattering, this is one colour that can take you almost everywhere.

With its refined warmth, Bordeaux works as well in a tailored piece like a jacket or trousers as it does in a lacy, sparkly party dress or a cosy sweater.

And it is almost universally flattering, making it a perfect choice for a silk or faux fur scarf to wear next to your face.

Tasting notes: This deep purple wine has intense flavours of rich plum and spice, especially black pepper, and can range from the refined elegance of the Old World to the heady, boozy, even jammy wines of the New. This is a great party wine, and a perfect complement to your lush purple party clothes.

Purple came roaring royally back into style a couple of years ago, and it seems to be here for a while, which is a good thing indeed. This is one glamorous hue, and a perfect way to add colour to dark wintry days.

With bluer and often brighter tones than burgundy or Bordeaux, purple can be young and fun or serious and grown-up.

Although it can dress down in jeans and sweaters and is ideal for accent pieces like hats and belts, it is made for luxurious fabrics like satin and velvet, and clamours for sparkle, whether it be diamonds or rhinestones. The party’s on!

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